Pulis ready for Liverpool challenge

Tony Pulis believes his Stoke City side are in for another stern examination at Liverpool on Sunday, despite the Reds' Europa League defeat on Thursday.

The Potters manager watched the game against Udinese and will return to Merseyside with a squad containing Liverpool old boys Michael Owen, Peter Crouch and Charlie Adam.

He said: "I thought they were very unfortunate last night. They were in complete control and played really well. But scoring just after half-time gave Udinese a real lift.

"We have a job to do in a difficult game. Liverpool have top, top players. We will show the people of that great football club total respect.

"Their supporters were brilliant again last night and are a credit to their club."

Stoke travel to Manchester United after the international break, and Pulis added: "If we can get something out of the next two games, it will be a massive bonus."

The Stoke boss is one of the longest-serving in the Premier League, and believes the Liverpool hierarchy must show patience as Brendan Rodgers implements his ideas.

"It's a great club and Brendan is a very lucky guy to have the chance there to take it forward," he said. "He needs backing, which I'm sure they will give him, otherwise they wouldn't have appointed him.

"I can't see why they would give him the job if they didn't want to back the manager. Luckily for me, that's what has happened here with Peter Coates and the rest of the family."